African Bush Camps - February 2008 Newsletter

February 2008 Newsletter

The transformation of Mother Nature always impresses me as I observe the changes and transition of the bush from the first rains, to the last and then dryness through out the year as the bush thins out and becomes a semi desert. The bush is currently lush and green, with beautiful wild flowers in full bloom, plenty of bird’s summer visitors and dramatic horizons as the rains soak the African soil.

Features:
- White Rhino and Calf at Somalisa Camp
- Luxury Mobile safari with Cheetahs and lions at Nxai pan
- Improvements at Linyanti Bush Camp
- Linyanti Walking Safaris Set Departures

White Rhino and calf at Somalisa Camp The number of babies about makes very fascinating game viewing. Who ever said that the green season was not prime viewing? The baby boom is on as you see tiny piglet warthogs, large nurseries of impala and wildebeest calves and recently spotted white rhino mother and calf at Nkawasana pan during an all day “safari and picnic”. It was really special to see the two grazing in the carpet of green grass and with the calf keeping very close to its cautious mother. Some of the birds (summer visitors) are step eagles and buzzards, European bee eaters, white storks, abdim’s storks, European rollers and many more including all the spectacular birds in full breeding plumage such as all the whydah birds and bishops. This time of the year is worth experiencing to see the vast difference between October and January. Whilst you might get caught in some pouring rains, it does not last all day and it is warm rain, albeit the bush certainly provides and shows a totally different face – one worth seeing.

Luxury Mobile Safari at Nxai pan with Cheetah and lion

I recently did a four night luxury mobile tented safari at Nxai pan in Botswana and as usual the desert provided some of the most amazing game viewing. Large herds of zebra, oryx (Gemsbok), springbok and spectacular lions and cheetah hunting. The highlight was searching for cheetah and waiting to see them hunt the springbok. Sometimes we arrived at the scene too late and only seeing the cheetah tare to pieces the remains of their prey.

We were very fortunate to watch a family of four cheetahs, stalk and the give chase in full flight a small herd of springbok, whose baby calf fell prey to the swift cats. We all sat and watched in anticipation of the kill, and when it did happen, we all felt sad as the mother springbok returned in hope to find its baby. We all felt better later that evening when we saw over fifty baby springboks that hung around with the herds, playing in large nurseries as they pronked with excitement as though it was the joys of summer rains. I imagined that for every calf that falls to predation, somewhere in the plains there were others born.

Nxai pan is a MUST DO safari from December through to end of April, it is teaming with game and provides some of the best game viewing in Botswana during the wet season, especially for cheetah and lion.

Improvements at Linyanti Bush Camp
In our efforts to improve our camps both in the area of service and facilities, we pay attention to the feedback and guests comments when they leave the camps. As a result of some of the feedback we have done a few improvements... The most requested item by our guests during the course of the year was an outside “chill out” spot at the guest tents. We have added a veranda in the front of the guest tents with two chairs and a side table made from indigenous timber, all on a bed of soft cool sand. We have introduced two new open 4 x 4 game drive vehicles; Toyota Land cruisers that offer a comfortable ride in the rugged terrain especially in the sandy soils in the dry months. Whilst mosquitoes are generally not an issue in this area due to having very little surface water, we have added nets to all the guests tents which has not only added a re-assurance to our guests but also given the interiors a very romantic African safari feel. .

Linyanti Walking Safaris Set Departures

These adventure walking safaris in our private concession gives one the privilege to experience nature at first hand with the best walking guides in Botswana. There is very little experience compared to being on foot tracking a big herd of buffalo or lion or being in the midst of elephant country. Take advantage of the set departures which are guaranteed with only two people. Contact reservations for availability and the “Linyanti Special” that you can take join.

On behalf of the African Bush Camps team, we wish you all an amazing year and happy safaris. We hope to share our world of safaris with you in our spectacular safari camps and destinations. All the best wishes Beks Ndlovu - CEO